ABSTRACT
The political structure of the Roman empire had changed fundamentally as a result of the civil wars that had swept the country in the last 100 years of the republic. Real power was now in the hands of the emperor. The elements that had formed the political structure during the republic-the senate, the magistrates and the assembly-acquired a different function or they disappeared. The senate, whose experience in administration was almost indispensable, retained its administrative functionthough it was far less prominent than before-and acquired an additional task in the field of legislation and the administration of justice. The functions of the magistrates were gradually eroded. The assembly, which had lost its original function since the extension of the empire, hardly convened at all. The administrative tasks that these organs had traditionally performed were gradually taken over by imperial officials. Under the principate the army began to constitute an important element in the political structure of the Roman empire.
